Larger cultural venues in Milton Keynes to receive cash help from council

The Stables, MK Theatre, MK Gallery and Bletchley Park will all be eligible for grants of up £25,000.

But smaller venues will lose out, as the the grant will only be paid to organisations in the culture sector that have a rateable value of more than £51,000.

The move comes as part of the Labour-led council's £3m Covid-19 support package for the entire borough.

A spokesman said: "Venues such as The Stables and MK Theatre have been hit hard by not being allowed to stage performances, while mainstay visitor attractions such as MK Gallery, Bletchley Park and MK Museum have also been hit hard financially.

"MK Council will extend a discretionary grant scheme in a package that would provide support of up to £25,000 to eligible organisations in the culture sector that have a rateable value exceeding £51,000."

Cllr Carole Baume, Cabinet member for economy and culture, said: “The arts and culture sector has been one of the sectors hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, so I am pleased Milton Keynes Council can extend this funding to help a number of significant cultural organisations in Milton Keynes.”

She added: “Recently the government announced a funding package for the sector but has yet to issue any guidance on how that money will be distributed. In the meantime, I hope this funding will help those organisations during a very difficult period, and highlights our commitment to arts and culture as a very important part of our city.”